PMA

The southern African produce industry is being offered the opportunity to attend the region’s first event hosted by the US-based Produce Marketing Association (PMA), gathering the entire produce supply chain at Fresh Connections: Southern Africa.

Held at the NH Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, South Africa on 12 April, the networking and educational conference opens with an interactive session featuring PMA president and CEO Bryan Silbermann and PMA Chairman Mike O’Brien, vice-president of produce and floral for Schnucks Markets.

Other sessions will focus on current sales and marketing practices of interest in southern Africa, with significant relationship and business-building opportunities, according to PMA.

The day-long event’s learning tracks – 'Trends in the global fresh produce industry' and 'Maximising the market in your own backyard: South and southern Africa' – will provide produce and related companies with marketing intelligence to improve profitability and market share, and will help retailer attendees improve procurement knowledge and efficiency.

'Mike and I are really looking forward to this first Fresh Connections: Southern Africa event, especially after attending PMA events in Australia and Chile,' said Mr Silbermann. 'We’re anxious to hear directly from our South African members how PMA and our regional country council can deliver benefits to members there.

'Having grown up in Durban, it’s a unique pleasure to witness this global industry coming together in South Africa to share and learn, especially in the country of my birth and upbringing,' he added. 'PMA’s global strategy is to provide strength and structure to our industry and this leadership gathering is a pivotal way for us to do that.'

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